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As with type 2 diabetes, there is no single cause for prediabetes. The same risk factors for type 2 diabetes are present for prediabetes. People are at higher risk for prediabetes if they have one or more of the following risk factors:

• Age over 45
  
  
• Family history of diabetes
  
  
• Overweight or obesity
  
  
• High blood pressure

• Low HDL (good) and high LDL (bad) cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides
  
  
• Belonging to certain racial and ethnic groups (American Indian, black, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander) 
  
  
• History of gestational diabetes or having given birth to a  baby heavier than 9 pounds (macrosomia)
  
  
• History of  polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Other conditions that may increase risk of prediabetes include fatty liver disease and male hypogonadism (low levels of testosterone).